Added: 11 months ago
From: tnoutdoors9
Views: 21,108
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  • i have this exact gun picked it up new at a gun show for 399

  • i like how the camera slowly zooms in on the gun in the beginning

  • Just got one of these. The trigger pull SA and DA seems pretty stiff. I think someone without strong thumbs would have a problem pulling the hammer back.

    +P's shoot great though.

  • I wish there where more videos on this revolver, I think it's one of the best ones.

  • Thanks for taking the time to do this video. Very helpful to those of us planning to buy.

    Fun to watch the shootin' too!!

  • Great shooting

  • I prefer my Ruger LCR to the S&W, but I really like the shrouded hammer that S&W revolver has integrated into their revolver.

  • Do you know if the smith & wesson 38. special 442-1 is +p rated any help would be appreciated

  • @mrez1991 I don't know what a -1 is , but the 442 is +P rated.

  • No offence but you sound like peter griffin

  • those hougue grips make that gun look a lot better. i always thought it looked strange but it would be nice to have that single action option. do u feel like those grips make it harder to conceal ? thinkin of gettin some 4 my 442

  • i have a 438 but it is marked "bodyguard" and not "airweight" ...is there a difference..

  • I was looking and comparing this gun with the Ruger LCR at a gun show today...Both really nice...The Smith is a little smaller....If I went with either it would be as a carry gun...thanks for the vid...P

  • hooker gun

  • I got my 438 2 years ago the wife took it.

  • GooD GUN!!!

  • I doubt I could hit those long yardage plates with a scoped rifle!

    Nice shoot'n there Tex.

  • I can't believe you hit those longer range plates. The Hougue mono-grips are much better at taming felt recoil as opposed to the stock grips which expose the palm of your hand to the bare backstrap. Your wife may want to reconsider after she shoots +p ammo.

  • I had one thing to add. I must respectfully disagree with those folks who say the .38 isn't a good self-defense round. Buy yourself a good quality load, learn to shoot your gun well with those loads and it will get you home alive. There are no magic calibers or loads. That is just wrong. I like the newer premium loads and I also like the old 158 grain LSWHP +P. I have heard that the J-Frame Smiths sights are made to shoot that old 158 grain +P load dead on with the factory sights. Mine does.

  • @LarryC213 Agreed. Underestimating is the same as underestimating the .22LR - a fatal folly for the foolhardy, to be alliterative. I am partial to the Speer Gold Dot short-barrel after watching @tnoutdoors9 's video

  • With the smaller grips these J-Frame Smiths are the perfect carry gun. Mine is a model 442 that I purchased new a few years ago. It does not have the built-in lock. That's one of the reasons I bought it. Forget the ultra lightweight (scandium) .357 magnums. Those things are horrible. The Airweight (like yours) is a great weight for carry and for shooting. Get yourself a decent pocket holster and you are set. These little guns are also amazingly accurate... even at long range. They will multiply!

  • Two pockets, two airweights, what more do you need. Thanks for xlnt vid.

  • The little 5 shot J-frame smiths are an excellent choice, and have many uses! I personally wouldn't have limited myself to 38 special only - but still a great gun.

    don't CCW with hogue grips, they are too "tacky" and hang up in your clothing worse than ANY exposed hammer would...and they print badly as such.

    There is an MP360 Scandium / Titanium version, that is much lighter - but also more expensive.

    Put some nice wood grips on that, and you're set ~ great choice all around ! !

  • Nice shootin'!

  • That 438 is a "shrouded" hammer design, not "un-shrouded" as you indicated. The "hump" on the 438 IS the shroud, and is NOT designed to improve pocket retention (as you said). It's there to cover the hammer spur so it doesn't hang up on clothing. S&W make a regular "exposed" hammer model (example: S&W 637). They make "shrouded" hammer model (example: your 438). And a double-action-only "enclosed" hammer model (example: S&W 442).

  • @hoisington64

    Just shows that I don't know everything. I was merely citing information from research...from several reputable sources.

  • @hoisington64

    Good for you and your knowledge, and your willingness to share it.

  • I used to have a S&W 649 bodyguard with the aluminum frame. I had originally got it for my girlfriend. All 5'1" 100 lbs of her. She had issues with the recoil in 357 magnum

  • Looking forward to upcoming reviews with the snubbie.

    Perhaps some Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWC +p since those seem to be the rage these days, why not start out with the best ;)

  • I have a 642 with the crimson trace grip, and after somewhere around 100 rds of +P, it took the skin off the palm of my hand. These lightweight snubbies kick very sharply with a +P load ,not to bad with a standard .38 special though. NOW, I'm looking forward to your side by side comparison of the .380 to the .38/.38+P............ hint :-)

  • Great review and shooting Thomas! Thanks for sharing your perspective on this type of gun! Keep it up man!

  • I have the same exact revolver, and I LOVE it. I carry it most often than my G19.

  • Nice shooting with your new snubby. S&W Bodyguard and Centennial style revolvers are classics.

    Your “quietly making improvements behind the scenes” SCREAM high quality. Keep up the good work!

  • Awesome shooting. You are one dangerous fellow. Can't wait for the bullet tests. Thank you.

  • Bet the wife loved all that noise from the garage!! LOL Nice airweight, I do like the fact you can go single action if you want. Keep up the great vids!!

  • Nice shooting on those far targets

  • Can't wait to see you do your ammo testing through this gun, I have a Ruger LCR in .357 Magnum and can't find any real Ballistics for a 1-7/8" bbl. I know your gun is .38 Special not .357 Magnum, but maybe I can get a percentage of the velocity drop for the short barrel. What I'm hoping for is that the .357 Magnum rounds in the 1-7/8" bbl will have at least the same ballistics as a .38 Special +P round in a full size gun.

  • awesome! you got a .380 now and a .38 I smell a .38 vs .380 test with cronos and penetration and expansion results! AWESOME!

  • Good review Thanks for your time.

  • You're a good shot! So awesome you can shoot in your backyard, don't have any of that here in southern Ontario, Canada. :-(

    The majority of people here still believe "Guns are bad, more government is good" irregular mentality.

  • The audio on those shots is bordering on perfection.

  • @FISHERMANPADDY

    I think shooting from the garage in the rain had something to do with that. The camera was setup in the garage, and the sound just rolled off those walls. 

  • @tnoutdoors9 I'm gonna be waiting for a helmet cam video of this, with you walking through the woods shooting zombie crooks from the 50s and 60s, when this style of gun was made popular. Better practice your reloads!

  • Sweet little J frame! Can't wait for the ammunition tests, want to see the difference between heavy regular .38 and light weight +P.

    I have a model 642 on my hip right now, check out the DeSantis summer heat holster, great leather IWB for the J frames.

  • Good shooting, gotta love the single action trigger.

  • I hope you will test some Hornady Critical Defense loads in this gun. My everyday carry is a Model 360, which was a limited run scandium 38 J-Frame with a blue carbon steel cylinder. I sent it back to S&W and had the Performance Center install a titanium cylinder from the 360Ti model and this dropped the weight to 11.5 oz. So light it's almost like not carrying.

  • :) Great shooting.

    Does this grip interfere with the cocealbility? It looks good on absorbing the recoil. I saw lots of hogue at my local gunstore. which one is this you have?

  • That last shot was impressive.

  • The tone in which "You gotta be kidding me" was the same as if you had just found that the family dog had pooped on the rug. After seeing this, I'm considering the notion of a revolver for my new conceal carry piece.

  • Sweet little gun.

  • damn that thing is accurate as all get out. cant wait to get to shoot my dads. idk if its a +p though cus i never looked at it really.

  • Very cool piece and shooting!

  • That classic Bodyguard design has always appealed to me, snag free with the single action option. Stunning long range shooting with that tiny little sight radius! Way to make the most of a rainy weekend.

  • I've got the 638 and absolutely love it! I'm going to try one of the new LaserLyte lasers that mounts on the frame just over the grips. -- Thanks for sharing sir!

  • I've got the Taurus 85 Ultra-light which I like alot. I'm always amazed at just how accurate these short-barreled revolvers can be. Not minute-of-angle accurate, but definately minute-of-thug accurate. Those who say they aren't should practice with them more.

  • Man I love it when you intro a new gun b/c it means there are sweet vids on the way.

    

  • alright tnoutdoors9 coming on strong!! I like it

  • nice looking pistol! Thanks for sharing.

  • Very nice. I have the model 442 and like it a lot. These airweight models just disappear, very easy to conceal and don't weigh very much.

  • I love the little J frames, easy carry with enough punch to do the job. I have a Taurus model 651 .38/.357 looks just like the body guard.

  • Great shot tnoutdoors! Do some more long range pistol vids =)

  • Nice vid. Good shootn'

  • that short barrel barks so loud its hard to hear the hits on the steel!

  • That's pretty need shooting TNO9. I never sucseeded in hitting at +50 yrds with my sw mod36. Very nice gun that airlite.

  • cool video

  • i just got a model 700 .223 VTR with an Ncstar 3-9 by 40 scope, but the weird thing is when ever i shoot further then the range its sighted in for it shoots high, so when i got it on paper at 25 yards it was hoot way high at 100, and when i got int dead on at 100 it was shooting roughly 8 inches or so high at 200 yards, anyone know why or have any advice?

  • @goalieslayer You have 2 points where the bullet and the line of sight cross, normaly you sight in for the second cross. Maybe you sighted it in for the first cross.

    Google for: ballistic curve line of sight. Hopefully you get the idea.

    I'm not sure if this is your problem, but thats the only idea that i have.

  • @Hellsslave666 k thanks, il check it out

  • Nice pistol. I really like my 442 and carry it everyday. That huge grip really hurts the gun as far as concealing it. I prefer the stock boot grip that came on mine.Try shooting some of the Buffalo bore 158gr +P's. Those things are stout in the j frames. I would love to see you test that particular Buffalo bore round.

  • J frame Models 36 and 60 are my 24/7 carry piece. It doesn't get any better than this.

  • I have the 442, which is the double action only version of the 438 w/o the shrouded hammer. Unlike most people, I like the stock grips that come with it from S&W. I would also like to say, while everything said about this not being a "range fun" or long range gun is true, the first time out shooting my 442 could hit steel at 50yrds (believe it or not, your choice) and the accuracy on these little j-frames is nothing to sneeze at.

  • Wow it's in excellent condition!

  • Comment removed

  • Great vid.

  • love that grip. my 642 hurts my hand to shoot but i bet a grip like that would help a bit.

  • That is one of my favorite set ups for a small snubby.

  • Damnit.. another gun I wish I could own.

    Those small guns are prohibited in canda *sniff*

  • ROFL "oh, ya gotta be kiddin me" love it!

    Nice shootin. I think the gun is beautiful. by the way.

  • Nice man nothing says badass like a wheel gun.

  • Hot damn if there's one thing I love.

  • Very nice, and you've delivered as promised previously :)

    Last time I shot anything similar to this was an old 5 shot Taurus .38 that was completely worthless. Any round in it and the gun would climb until the barrel was completely straight up in the air. There was nothing you could do about it and it would happen regardless of the type of round you're using. This seems to fair a million times better than that.

  • good looking revolver

  • Thanks for the video, I'm just thinking about buying such a type of revolver.

  • Wow, what an incredibly informative and professionally done review. You're the best gun reviewer in the internet for sure.

  • Now that you a sub nose 38spl please test the hornady CD ammo in starderd and +p thanks again tnoutdoors your best who is above the rest

  • i dont really like this family of revolvers. but this is like the perfect kinda review. short sweet to the point so i dont get bored. lol and then shooting.

  • Interesting view showing learning a new gun's traits. The grips seemed to me to help you on a light gun manage recoil. You were shooting better at range length than I think I could with such a small sight radius. It is a up close and personal niche gun I suspect and there are advantages with a revolver for your wife if she is not geared to do much range work to learn the carry gun. Pepper spray is also a good option. I had a NRA course in Saber use and it can be effective.

  • Cool wheelgun... from what I understand the hump is not to improve pocket _retention_, but to prevent snagging on the hammer when drawing. With the hump you get the best of both worlds... no snag, plus a cockable hammer if needed. Plus it looks cool. :D

  • Looks like you have that single action down. The double action could probably use some training and maybe a little trigger job to lighten it up. The S&W da triggers do lighten up themselves a little after your first couple of hundred rounds.

  • @shootcentermass

    This is exactly what she has been asking for, sans the larger grip. She has tried the G19 and didn't like it. To be fair, I shoot more in any given day than she has her entire life. That will have to change before I let her out of the house, armed. I know too many people who have a permit and carry but they NEVER practice.

  • @tnoutdoors9 You should make videos on "how to train your wife in firearms proficiency"

  • @tnoutdoors9 I agree completely with the insistence on practice. I carry my LCP daily, and I make sure to practice at least biweekly, and I don't practice from a rest or comfort. I try to draw frantically from my pocket, just like I would have to, and shooting a very small paper plate from 5-10 yards away. If I can put at least 5/7 shots on that small paper plate, success! If not, I go again until I can. :)

  • love the j- frames and carry one everyday, but in my honest experience with smith revolvers having notched sights ; anytime you change to after market grips it changes the balance/ point ability of the weapon for me anyway. Although more comfortable than stock grips I just get better shots stock. Even my crimson trace grips went back in the box. First noticed it 20 years ago on a model 10. You've got a keeper there!

  • @ITHINKUREALESUK

    I think you are spot-on regarding the balance comment. Holding this one empty compared to the stock model, there is more of a weight shift back and down with this larger Hogue.

  • @tnoutdoors9 thank you sir, you are a great shooter and true gentleman........

  • Might be next gun i buy.

  • I had the non-hammer version Sc-Ti model. Absolutely hated it. Couldn't hit shit except within 3 yards....prefer a little more accuracy to that so i switched to a kahr 

  • my pocket carry everyday!!!

  • Good shootin'!

    It looks like that aftermarket grip does a very nice job of mitigating recoil.

  • @Tanrichguy

    The dealer had the same model with the factory grip, and on comparison, it wasn't going to work for me. Regardless, you get more recoil than expected with these light alloy frames.  I was really surprised.

  • Nice review. I like the fact that you still manually engage that bobbed, concealed hammer. How cool that you have targets outside of your "driveway"; Tennessee: land of the free.

  • Nice job on the long range disk! Very impressive with a tiny revolver.

    I have a 642 and find the double action pull very difficult to be accurate with. Under dry fire practice the sights are always shifting unless I really focus and manage to stage the trigger into the single-action mode. I guess it isn't a big deal though since the gun is designed very close-range self-defense.

    I'm currently carrying Gold Dot .38 Spl+P ammo in mine and would appreciate it if you could test the ammo sometime!

  • @AllfatherGuideUs

    As you could tell from that first shooting sequence, I don't shoot revolvers that often. But it got better in a short amount of time! The process of maintaining POA in double-action mode is exactly as you described. I foresee production of a draw and shoot video at very short range on paper targets. Gold Dot's will be on the list. First test with the .38 is going to be the 100 gr Pow'RBall in +P, followed by the PDX1 from this video.

  • I want that thing!

  • Sweet! I like it! Great shooting!

  • Nice review. I bought a Colt Agent years ago. All aluminum and not able to shoot +p rounds. Glad this S & W does. A lesson learned.

  • I had a stanless one back in the late 80's they are great little guns. You did good shooting it great little video thanks.

  • That is a mean trigger.

  • very lightweight, and pretty.

  • Nice video, ugly gun :) jk

  • Ive been looking at getting one of these for a while now, seems like a great deep concealment option, however it does seem like that double action pull could use a little smithing.

  • Can i have it ? L0L

  • really nice gun.

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